The annual Rob Fuller Scholarship Luncheon continued its tradition of supporting graduating students in Centralia and Chehalis on Friday with the presentation of $18,500 to 19 area seniors.
The event, hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce and the Rob Fuller Scholarship Program, was held inside the TransAlta Commons at Centralia College.
Rob Fuller, the luncheon’s
namesake, was a longtime Lewis County resident, chamber board member, Chehalis city councilmember, grocery store owner, outdoorsman and philanthropist.
Fuller died in 2011 from lung cancer at the age of 67. The Rob Fuller Scholarship Fund was established by the chamber that same year.
Friday’s luncheon also served as a celebration of the top 25 seniors from W.F. West High School and Centralia High School. Before their introduction, Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Secretary Lindy Waring spoke about the impact Fuller had on the community.
“Rob gave back in ways that went far beyond what people ever saw,” Waring said, which included helping employees with medical bills or weddings.
“If he saw someone in a military uniform, he would often pay their meal,” Waring said.
Most of these acts, Waring said, were done anonymously.
“Rob never wanted any recognition,” Waring said. “He wanted to help.”
In 2002, Fuller gave $100,000 to fund Fuller’s Twin City Skate Park in Centralia.
Waring told the seniors to “carry a little bit of Rob Fuller’s spirit” with them and “remember the importance of giving back, caring for others, and making your community a better place.”
The top 25 students from both schools were then called to the stage, where they each spoke about their special interests and plans for college and beyond.
Centralia High School’s top 25 graduates, in alphabetical order, are:
Silvio Aceituno, Satsuki Bringman, Chevelle Bussart, Skyla Denton, Kycen Donahue, Makenzie Erickson, Samantha Falkner, Lillian Ferch, Emma Fitzgerald, Penelope Fuller, Claire Haskins, Neela Haywood, Jonah Lowe, Brisa Martinez-Torres, Rosa Rodriguez, Stephanie Sanchez-Gomez, Lorenza Santiago, Owen Sharp, Mckenna Smith, Brooklyn Sprague, Evan Thummel, Ramon Torres Jr., Isaac Wallace, Hudson Waterfield and Kadin Yeung.
W.F. West High School’s top 25 graduates, in alphabetical order, are:
Skylie Aspyn, Madison Baine, Avery Brundage, Leola Caple, Beckman Dvorak, Adam Flexhaug, Nathan Flexhaug, Ethan Hansen, Eden Hornby, Jaden Jensen, Zoey Kalland, Lauren Kelley, Miles Martin, Heidi Meier, Amyah Middleton, Elizabeth Mittge, KD Obtinario, Grady Oien, Madelynn Panther, Francesca Remund, Lydia Smith, Berkeley Varick, Ariana Wheaton, Leah White and Violet White-Pierce.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee Chair Coralee Taylor, who is also CEO of The Chronicle, introduced the luncheon’s keynote speaker, Brian Watson, a Napavine city councilor, Centralia College Foundation board member and executive regional sales manager at The Chronicle.
Watson spoke about three things he believes are vital for dealing with adversity: relationships, a positive mindset and service.
“Surround yourself with people that inspire you,” Watson said. “Surround yourself with people that are trustworthy and successful. Surround yourself with people that you want to be like.”
On being positive, Watson talked about winning the day.
“I tell my kids all the time, let’s win today,” Watson said. “We’ll worry about tomorrow, tomorrow, when it comes. But we’re going to win today.”
Watson told the graduating seniors to serve in something “bigger than yourself,” whether that be through coaching, volunteering, or participating in a church.
“When your heart is focused on others, it’s easier to walk through your own storms,” Watson said.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cynthia Mudge said over 110 students applied for the various scholarships this year.
This year’s recipients are:
2026 Lightcurve Business & Technology Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardee: Ethan Hansen
From the application: Eligible to students from W.F. West High School or Centralia High School, this scholarship awards graduating seniors based on their educational experience, with a focus on business, technology and STEM.
2026 Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardee: Cal Bullock
From the application: This scholarship is eligible to all graduating seniors from Lewis County high schools.
2026 Centralia Community Foundation Education Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardee: Brooklyn Sprague
From the application: Eligible to all graduating seniors from Centralia High School, this scholarship awards a “hard-working student based on their desire to go into the field of education.”
2026 Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP Cheyllyn Collinsworth Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardee: Amyah Middleton
From the application: Eligible to students from W.F. West High School or Centralia High School, this scholarship, created in honor of Cheyllyn Collinsworth, awards graduating seniors “based on their interest in a teaching career.”
2026 Peak Credit Union Business Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardee: Alabama Ropka
From the application: Eligible to students from W.F. West High School or Centralia High School, this scholarship awards graduating seniors “interested in pursuing a career in business or finance.”
2026 Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Olivia Mitchell Scholarship ($500):
Awardee: Molly Matayoshi
From the application: This scholarship, created in honor of Olivia Mitchell, a Running Start student from Adna High School, is eligible to students from Adna High School.
2026 PUD Commissioners Tradesman Scholarship ($1,000):
Awardees: Peyton Hernandez, Gabriel Rodriguez, Owen Sharp
From the application: Eligible to students within Lewis County PUD's service territory, this scholarship awards graduating seniors with a 2.0 GPA or higher who are interested in working at Lewis County PUD in a tradesman field.
2026 Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Rob Fuller Scholarship Fund ($1,000):
Awardees: Skylie Aspyn, Madison Baine, Tristin Henning, Rafael Mendez, Elizabeth Mittge, Gracie Murphy, Grady Oien, Owen Sharp, Maurice “Rocco” Waring, Kadin Yeung
From the application: This scholarship is eligible to children or grandchildren of current chamber members that are seniors at W.F. West High School or Centralia High School.
This year’s table sponsors included Chris Forespring State Farm, Fuller’s Market Place, Logistics Property Co., Port of Centralia, Port of Chehalis and ToledoTel.
Student sponsors included Caring Transitions, Dianne Dorey and Mudgeville.
Gift bag goodies were provided by Fiddlers Coffee, Fuller’s Market Place, Lewis County Coffee Company, McDonald’s and Quiznos.
To learn more about the individual scholarships and eligibility requirements, visit https://chamberway.com/events-by-city/rob-fuller-scholarships-fund/.
